Formula 1’s 2025 season has delivered the closest championship battle in recent memory. After 14 rounds, two McLaren drivers are separated by fewer than ten points, with a tightly bunched field behind them. With a sleek new watch‑companion app offering real‑time standings updates during races, we’re looking at how the current points table translates into title chances for each contender. This analysis explains the F1 points system, examines how each driver scored their points, and then predicts who may lift the coveted Drivers’ Championship trophy based on trends from the first half of the season.

Understanding F1 points and championship standings

Unlike many sports, Formula 1 awards points down to 10th place in each Grand Prix. In 2025 the scoring structure remains unchanged: the race winner earns 25 points, second place gets 18 and third receives 15. Positions four through ten are worth 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point respectively. An additional point goes to the driver who sets the fastest lap of the race (provided they finish in the top ten). If a sprint race is held, points are awarded to the top eight finishers (8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1), while the sprint pole position is considered separate from the main qualifying. Races stopped before 75% distance sometimes trigger a reduced points allocation – for an in‑depth explainer see our articles on sprint race points and standings in shortened races .

This points distribution means consistency is just as important as outright wins. Drivers who finish on the podium regularly will outscore those who alternate between victories and low finishes. Fastest lap bonuses and sprint results can swing the championship by several points across a season, so our assessment accounts for them too. Finally, tie‑breakers are decided by a countback of wins, followed by second places, third places and so on – it’s a reminder that even one extra podium can decide a championship.

Current 2025 points table

After 14 of 24 scheduled rounds, here’s how the top of the championship stands (points include sprint results and fastest lap bonuses):

Driver	Team	Points	Wins	Podiums	Poles
Oscar Piastri	McLaren	284	6	12	5
Lando Norris	McLaren	275	5	12	4
Max Verstappen	Red Bull	187	2	5	4
George Russell	Mercedes	172	1	6	1
Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	151	0	5	1
Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	109	0	0	0
Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	64	0	1	0

Behind these front runners are Alex Albon (Williams), Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber) and Esteban Ocon (Haas) — all enjoying standout seasons but unlikely to mount a title charge given the deficit. Each driver’s total includes points from the three sprints held so far.

The McLaren duel: Piastri vs Norris

Piastri’s breakthrough season

Oscar Piastri entered his third Formula 1 year with high expectations after capturing Rookie of the Year honours in 2023 and two race wins in 2024. He has delivered emphatically in 2025. Six Grand Prix wins and twelve podium finishes highlight his supreme consistency; he is the only driver with zero DNFs so far and has scored points in every race and sprint. His qualifying has sharpened too – five pole positions and several front‑row starts have allowed him to control races from the front.

Piastri’s haul of 284 points reflects a driver who seizes opportunities. He converted pole into victory at the season‑opening Bahrain Grand Prix, added dominant wins in China and Miami, and strung together a hat‑trick of victories mid‑season. Even on weekends where he lacked outright pace, he maximised results: second place in the Australian and British Grands Prix; third in Austria; and a string of top fives when tyre wear or strategy didn’t favour him. This relentless scoring, coupled with four fastest laps, means Piastri leaves little on the table. He openly acknowledges being calmer in high‑pressure situations, crediting his success to learning from errors in his rookie year.

Norris: on the hunt but error‑prone

Lando Norris took an early championship lead after winning a rain‑soaked Australian Grand Prix, but his campaign has been slightly less consistent than his team‑mate’s. Five wins (including McLaren’s only sprint victory) and twelve podiums keep him well within striking distance. His raw speed remains fearsome; he’s bagged four pole positions and set five fastest race laps. Norris thrives on momentum—three wins in four races before the summer break closed the gap to Piastri to just nine points.

However, Norris has occasionally been undone by mistakes. A time penalty for a safety‑car infringement in Silverstone cost him second place, while misjudged pit‑stop calls at Imola and Canada left him chasing his team‑mate’s strategy. There’s a sense that he presses too hard when under pressure. In interviews he candidly admits he isn’t “making life easy” and must tidy up execution if he wants to dethrone Piastri. Still, his racecraft and experience (this is his seventh full season) remain potent weapons. Many pundits expect the title to hinge on “small margins,” with team harmony and strategy playing pivotal roles.

Why McLaren hold the advantage

McLaren’s MCL39 has been the class of 2025. Its aerodynamic efficiency and tyre management have allowed both drivers to fight at the front on a variety of circuits. With 559 points, the Woking‑based squad leads the Constructors’ Championship by almost 300 points over Ferrari. This cushion grants freedom to split strategies between drivers, as they did in Austria and Hungary, ensuring at least one car maximises points each weekend. The downside? Team orders have been largely absent, meaning Piastri and Norris race freely. While exciting for fans, it increases the risk of intra‑team collisions and points lost if they clash. So far they have avoided major accidents but minor contact in Canada proved how fragile their duel could become.

Red Bull and Mercedes: outsiders with a punch

Verstappen’s damage limitation

Max Verstappen’s 2025 has been a study in perseverance. Red Bull’s RB21 has struggled with inconsistent tyre temperatures and a lack of rear‑end stability compared with the benchmark McLaren. Despite this, Verstappen sits third with 187 points thanks to two race wins and regular podium finishes. He produced masterful drives to win in Saudi Arabia and Japan, nursing his tyres while fending off faster cars. Four pole positions demonstrate his continued qualifying brilliance.

Yet the Dutchman’s challenge is hamstrung by reliability and teammate support. Early mechanical failures and a strategic misfire in Miami cost him valuable points. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda, though occasionally explosive, has only collected ten points and fails to take points off the McLarens. Verstappen’s title hopes would require a run of victories alongside McLaren misfortune – a scenario that seems unlikely given current form. Nevertheless, he remains the driver most capable of capitalising if the leaders stumble.

Russell: Mercedes’ solitary win

Mercedes’ rebuilt car delivered mixed results. George Russell scored the team’s first win since 2022 at the Canadian Grand Prix, capitalising on a late safety car and fresh tyres to beat Verstappen. He has six podiums and has finished inside the top ten at every Grand Prix, proving Mercedes’ emphasis on reliability. With 172 points, he is mathematically in contention but 112 points behind the leader. For Russell to become champion, he would need to win several races and hope both McLarens falter.

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli recorded an impressive podium in Canada and regularly finishes in the points but four retirements illustrate his steep learning curve. The Italian prodigy sits seventh in the standings with 64 points. While Antonelli won’t fight for the title this year, his consistent points haul contributes to Mercedes’ third place in the Constructors’ standings.

Ferrari and the rest: the uphill battle

After a challenging 2024, Ferrari have taken a step forward with their SF-25, but they still trail the McLarens on outright pace. Charles Leclerc sits fifth with 151 points – a tally built on five podiums and twelve top‑ten finishes. He has delivered superb qualifying laps, most notably taking pole in Monaco, yet race pace and pit‑stop execution have often let him down. To win the Drivers’ Championship he’d need a monumental swing in fortune; more realistically, his aim will be securing third place and adding race wins to his résumé.

Lewis Hamilton has endured a frustrating first season back at Ferrari. Despite scoring points in nearly every race and winning a sprint, he has yet to stand on a Grand Prix podium. Strategy missteps (Monaco and Emilia Romagna) and tyre degradation have hampered his results. Hamilton remains a seven‑time champion and thus cannot be completely discounted, but a 175‑point deficit means his hopes hinge on multiple race victories and repeated McLaren failures.

Lower down the order, Alex Albon is the revelation of 2025. With 54 points and several top‑five finishes, he has elevated Williams well into midfield contention. Nico Hülkenberg finally claimed his long‑awaited first podium at the British Grand Prix and sits eighth in the standings. Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and others have all made headlines through strong qualifying performances or surprise points, illustrating how competitive the field has become. The depth of talent means any mistake from the leaders is punished immediately by hungry midfielders.

Team battle: Constructors’ standings snapshot

The Constructors’ Championship dictates how prize money and resources are distributed among teams. It also reflects car performance and reliability. Here’s how the teams currently stack up:

Team	Points	Notes
McLaren	559	Six wins from Piastri, five from Norris, one sprint win; runaway leaders
Ferrari	260	Much improved chassis; podiums but no wins yet; needs strategic polish
Mercedes	236	One win; reliability and rookie learning curve; suspension upgrades pending
Red Bull	194	Two wins but inconsistency; reliant on Verstappen’s brilliance
Williams	70	Albon flourishing; Sainz joining mid‑season boosted points
Aston Martin	52	Struggling to recapture 2023 form; occasional points from Alonso and Stroll
Kick Sauber	51	Hülkenberg podium; Bortoleto learning quickly
Racing Bulls	45	Lawson’s underdog performances; Hadjar still raw
Haas	35	Ocon and rookie Oliver Bearman scraping points
Alpine	20	Tough season; reliability issues and driver uncertainty

McLaren’s dominance in the constructors’ race means they are already eyeing how points distribution affects prize money. Our constructors’ points system article breaks down how teams earn revenue from final standings, underlining why midfield battles remain fierce even when the drivers’ title becomes a two‑horse race.

Season highlights and turning points

Early-season fireworks

The year began in spectacular fashion with a chaotic Australian Grand Prix that produced three safety cars, multiple red flags and a popular home victory for Lando Norris. Oscar Piastri narrowly missed out after a slow pit stop, while rookie Kimi Antonelli stormed from 16th to fourth. This race set the tone for a season of unpredictability.

The next three rounds saw Piastri assert himself. Wins in China and Bahrain (held on different weekends due to an early Japanese round) displayed his ability to manage tyres and absorb pressure from Verstappen and Norris. Saudi Arabia belonged to Verstappen, who used Red Bull’s straight-line speed to take victory despite late-race pressure. In Miami, Piastri again controlled proceedings, while Red Bull’s gamble to stay out during a safety car backfired.

Mid‑season momentum shifts

Ferrari’s one‑two qualifying in Monaco promised much but turned sour as track position and pit‑lane strategy gifted Piastri another win. Spain delivered a surprise when Mercedes’ suspension upgrade faltered, causing the team to run conservative setups. McLaren still took a 1–2, while Williams’ Alex Albon finished a remarkable fifth.

The biggest twist came at the Canadian Grand Prix. Mixed weather and late‑race drama allowed George Russell to seize victory, ending Mercedes’ dry spell. The race also saw the McLaren pair collide lightly, costing Piastri a podium and giving Norris second. Russell’s win injected fresh hope into Mercedes but ultimately served to remind the field that on chaotic days, anyone can score heavily.

Before the summer break, Norris hit back with victories in Austria and Hungary, trimming Piastri’s lead from 23 points to nine. He benefitted from being the second McLaren on track, allowing him to react to Piastri’s strategy and overcut him when pit windows coincided with virtual safety cars. This period reinforced just how evenly matched the teammates are and why strategic calls will be crucial in the run‑in.

Predictions for the title run‑in

With ten rounds remaining—including power circuits like Monza and low‑downforce venues such as Las Vegas—the 2025 championship remains open. However, trends from the first half of the year enable us to sketch likely scenarios:

Piastri marginal favourite: His ability to avoid mistakes and consistently finish on the podium gives him a slight edge. Even if he doesn’t win another race, a run of second and third places coupled with fastest lap points could secure the title.
Norris needs to maintain momentum: To overhaul his teammate, Norris must continue his high win rate without the errors that plagued his early season. Capitalising on sprint races and earning more fastest laps could provide crucial bonus points. He will also need to remain mentally resilient; fighting a teammate for a first title can be psychologically taxing.
External threats limited: Verstappen and Russell require a perfect run of wins and misfortune for McLaren to close the gap. Given their cars’ current pace deficits, a late surge is unlikely. Nevertheless, they will play spoiler roles—stealing wins or fastest lap points from McLaren on circuits that suit them, such as Suzuka or Interlagos.
Reliability and strategy decisive: A single retirement or pit‑stop blunder could swing the championship. With both McLarens finishing all but one race thus far, mechanical failure has yet to hit either side of the garage. Historic championships have been decided by tiny margins and tie‑breakers (see our tie‑breaker rules explainer), so expect the teams to pay extra attention to detail in the closing rounds.

In short, we predict the 2025 Drivers’ Championship will be decided between McLaren’s two young stars. Piastri’s relentless consistency makes him the likely champion, but Norris’s raw speed and ability to rebound mean the battle could go to the final lap of the final race.

FAQ: Your F1 2025 questions answered

How many points do you get for winning an F1 race? The race winner receives 25 points. Second place scores 18, third 15, and so on down to one point for tenth. A fastest lap bonus gives 1 point if the driver finishes in the top ten. The F1 points system hasn’t changed for 2025.

What about sprint races? Sprint events award points to the top eight finishers (8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1). Sprint results do not count as official Grand Prix wins, but they can influence the championship. For full details see sprint race points explained.

How are tie‑breakers decided in F1? If two drivers finish the season on equal points, the championship goes to the driver with more race wins. If still tied, second places are compared, then thirds and so on. Ties are extremely rare; the last Drivers’ Championship decided on countback occurred in 1984.

Who are the 2025 F1 rookies? The most notable rookie is Kimi Antonelli, racing for Mercedes. He scored a podium in Canada and has impressed with his composure. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Oliver Bearman (Haas) are also making their debuts.

Which races remain in the 2025 season? After the Dutch Grand Prix, the calendar continues with Italy (Monza), Azerbaijan, Singapore, United States (Austin), Mexico City, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Each venue poses unique challenges—power circuits, street tracks and varying climates—which could shake up the competitive order.

Does the Constructors’ Championship matter? Yes. It determines how the sport’s prize money is shared among teams and influences their development budgets. While the Drivers’ title garners headlines, the constructors’ standings shape the sport’s long‑term balance. See our breakdown of the constructors’ points system for more.

What happens in shortened races? If a race is suspended and cannot be resumed, reduced points are awarded based on how much of the scheduled distance is completed. One‑quarter distance awards minimal points, half distance awards half points, and so on. Check out standings in shortened races for the complete breakdown.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has kept fans enthralled with a genuine intra‑team fight for the world title. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has been consistently brilliant, while teammate Lando Norris has displayed flashes of championship‑winning speed. With Max Verstappen, George Russell and Charles Leclerc ready to pounce, and a demanding run of races ahead, the final rounds promise drama, strategy and perhaps even one of the closest finishes in history. Use our companion app during each Grand Prix to watch the points swing in real time – and check back here for analysis as the battle unfolds.